NAH @ The Owl Sanctuary
A wholly cathartic experience
From the moment I woke up and heard the news, it has been a worrying, bewildering and disappointing day so tonight I need something to take my mind off things and purge my soul of negative thoughts.
Moth kicks things off and, in his own words, everything has gone wrong. I'm not sure about that but maybe it's not fair to review tonight's set. As it was, he gave us some pretty pretty weak vocals over strong, glitchy loops. I'll be checking Moth out again when I hope everything comes together.
No such concerns with Obongjayar. Backed up by bass and drums, playing keys, Obongjayar has a warm, deep and rich the voice. The short set takes the best bits of Young Fathers and Massive Attack and puts them in a blender with Young Gods and Floodland era Sisters of Mercy. Fantastic stuff and I can’t wait to see Obongjayar deliver a longer set.
Before the gig, NAH was concerned that the PA would not be up to the sheer assault and battery of his music and wasn’t sure what he would be playing until he’d finished the soundcheck. Thankfully, what he delivers is pretty much the same as last October when NAH blew the roof off the old Owl. With a thousand yard stare, NAH is an intimidating presence. Over a barrage of electronics and whilst battering away at the drum kit, Nah spits and snarls his vocals. Last time out was possibly the most intense live show that have ever witnessed. Maybe because I knew what to expect, tonight doesn’t quite reach the same intensity but it is still a wholly cathartic experience. I leave battered, exhausted but strangely calm and happy for the first time all day.
